Tray loader



R. C. TALBOT Dec. 13, 1966 TRAY LOADER 18 Sheets-Sheefl l Filed Feb. 19, 1964 mPDU aOmO mmCuqO @Om D www3 w H ww h... EWE w w w W )NVENTOR RICHARD C, TALBOT I BY A ORNEYS Dec. 13, 1966 R. c. TALBOT 3,290,859

TRAY LOADER Filed Feb. 19, 1964 18 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. RICHARD C. TALBOT ATTORN YS R. C. TALBOT Dec. 13, `1966 TRAY LOADER 18 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Feb. 19, 1964 lll llllllll Im) .IIIIII Dec. I3, 1966 R. c. TALBOT 3,290,359

TRAY LOADER Filed Feb, 19, 1964 18 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR. RICHARD C. TALBOT Dec. 13, 1966 R. c.TAl BQT 3,290,859

TRAY LGADER Filed Feb. 19, 1964 18 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR 85 RICHARD C. TALBOT AT-TO RN EYS R. C. TALBOT TRAY LOADER Dec, 13, 1966 18 Sheets-Sheet e Filed F'eb. 19, 1964 INVENTOR. RICHARD C. TALBOT BY WW/@KI ATT RNEYS R. C. TALBOT Dec. 13, 1966 TRAY LOADER 18 Sheetsheet 7 Filed Feb. 19, 1964 @om if mmm a mON O N HN mom INVEN'TOR. RICHARD C. TALBOT Z/Z/ @L M/f AT TO RNEYS R. C. TALBOT Dec. 13, 1966 TRAY LOADER 18 Sheets-Sheet 8 NON Filed Feb. 19, 1964 INVENTOR. RICHARD C. TALBOT ma.; @6g 4f ATTORNEYS Dec. 13, 1966 TALBQT 3,290,359

TRAY LOADER Filed Feb. 19, 1964 18 SheesfSheeil 9 INVENTOR' RICHARD c. TALBOT ATTORNEYS Dec. 13, 1966 R. c. TALBOT 3,290,859

TRAY LOADER Filed Feb. 19, 1964 18 Sheets-Sheet l0 FIGIL Y o (D R. C. TALBOT Dec. 13, 1966 TRAY LOADER Filed Feb. 19, 1964 18 Sheets-Sheet 11 I ulg- I Il Blum FIGI

INVENTOR.

RICHARD C TALBOT BY ATTORNEYS RQ c. TALBOT TRAY LOADER Dec. 13, 1966 18 Sheets-Sheet l2 Filed Feb. 19, 1964 l INVENTOR RICHARD c, TALBOT ATTO NEYS Dec. 13, 1966 Rp. TALBOT 1 3,290,859

TRAY LOADER Filed Feb, 19, 1964 18 Sheets-Shawl 15 03 kf) J f1 l I J/ `\v| I" IN S8 f: I*

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INVENTOR. RICHARD CV TALBOT ATTGRNEY Dec. 13, 1966 R. C. TALBOT 3,290,859

TRAY LOADER Filed Feb. 19, 1964 18 Sheets-Sheet 14 RiCHARD C. TAEL BOT ATTORNEYS R. C. TALBOT Dec. 13, 1966 TRAY LOADER 18 Sheets-Sheet l5 Filed Feb, 19, 1964 INVEN'TOR. RICHARD C. TALBOT BY HG2@ /ATTGRNEY R. C. TALBOT Dec. 13, 1966 TRAY LOADER 18 Sheets-Sheet 16 Filed Feb. 19, 1964 BIO INVENTOR. RICHARD C, TALBOT ATTORNEYS Dec. 13, 1966 R, CJALBQT 3,290,559

TRAY LOADER Filed Feb. 19, 1964 18 Sheets-Sheet l'7 R. C. TALBOT Dec.. 13o2 1966 TRAY LOADER Filed Feb. 19, 1964 18 Sheets-Sheet 18 INVENTOR. RICHARD TALBOT i w Wwf Wfw/m@ ATTOR YS United States Patent O IlOlS Fired Feb. 19, 1964, ses. N0. 345,902 36 Claims. (el. 53-160) This invention relates to improvements in apparatus `for counting and loading cookies into trays and the like.

The machine of the present invention is generally arranged to fonm a continuation of a sandwich machine like that shown and described in Patent No. 2,936,557 which :takes cookies and places a creme Tiller between each two cookies to form sandwiches. The machine of the present invention counts the sandwiched cookies discharged from the sandwiching machine and separates the cookies into groups and automatically loads the cookies into trays, boxes and other containers commonly used to package cookies. 'The machine, of course, may count, separate and load various forms olf cookies and need not necessarily be used to count and package sandwiched cookies.

A principal object o-f the present invention is to provide an apparatus receiving cookies from a conveyor in a continuous tiow and counting the cookies and separating the counted cookies into uniform groups and then automatically loading the cookies in a continuous automatic operation.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved form of conveyor for conveying, counting and separating cookies into groups, `and arranged with a view toward utmost simplicity and eiiiciency in constnuction and operation.

A further object of the invention is to pr-ovide a cookie separating `and counting conveyor in cookie receiving relation with respect to a faster traveling conveyor of a sandwiching machine, in which a simple and improved form of retarding means is provided to retard travel of the cookies as lthey are picked up by the counting and separating conveyor.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an improved ifonrn of transfer conveyor transferring counted rows of cookies from a counting conveyor -to a packaging station, in which the transfer conveyor is driven by a simpliiied form of drive, placing a dwell in `the .travel of the conveyor to accommodate cookies to be released therefrom for packaging.

A further object of the invention is to `provide an improved form of transfer conveyor and cookie support and guide means, transferring the cookies from a countin-g conveyor and guiding and supporting the cookies while conveyed by the conveyor, and so arranged as to release the cookies for packaging during a dwell in travel of the conveyor.

A still further object of the invention is to pnovide a simpl-e and improved form of intermittent drive mechanism for driving conveyors and the like to place a dwell in the travel of the conveyor all while the drive mechanism is continuously operating.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a novel form of cookie support supporting cookies while transferred from a coun-ting station, in which means are provided for moving the support out of supporting relation ICC with respect to the cook-ies when the cookies are brought into position for loading.

A further object of the invention is to provide a simplified and improved form o-f drop chfute for loading falling rows of cookies into a tray and the like, and having a movable wall portion movable into the tray as a row of cookies is dropped thereint'o and Vforming a guide for a row of cookies dropping into the tray and retaining Ithe cookies in position in the tray during the loading operation.

A further object of the invention is to provide Ia novel and improved form .of contr-ol means for contnolling the travel of cantons along a conveyor, positioning certain gnups of cartons in cookie :receiving relation with respect to a transfer conveyor and drop chute, and separating certain other groups of cartons to accommodate the loading of the cantons in steps of multiple rows of cookies, with one .now in an adv-ance carton and the next adjacent row in a trailing carton during certain cycles of the cookie loading operation. .y

These and other objects of the invention vn'll appear trom time to time as -the lfollowing specification proceeds and with reference to the accompanying drawings where- FIGURE l is arschematic plan view diagrammatically showing a cookie counting yand loading apparatus constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention in association with a sandwiching machine;

FIGURE 2 is a diagrammatic View illustrating the drive to various parts of the machine;

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary side view with certain parts in section showing the sandwich retarder at entering end of counting conveyor;

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary detail front elevational View of the sandwich 'retarder with certain parts broken away and other parts in transverse section;

FIGURE 5 is a view in side elevation of a counting conveyor constructed in accordance with 'the .principles of the present invention, with certain parts broken away and certain other par-ts shown in section;

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view showing cen-tain details ofthe means for controlling counting and separation of the cookies in groups;

FIGURE 7 is a sectional view taken substantially along line VII-VII of FIGURE 6;

FIGURE 8 is a perspective view of switching device for the counting conveyor;

FIGURE 9 is a fragmentary side view of a conveyor flight of the counting conveyor;

FIGURE l0 is a perspective view looking at the discharge end of counting conveyor and the entering end of transfer conveyor;

FIGURE ll is a fragmentary side elevational View showing the intermittent drive to the transfer conveyor;

FIGURE l2 is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially along lines XII-XII of FIGURE ll and showing Ithe carriage placing a dwell in the drive to the transfer conveyor, in plan;

FIGURE 13 is an enlarged end view of the transfer conveyor;

FIGURE 14 is a perspective View showing a portion of the transfer conveyor, and a retainer ilight therefor;

FIGURE l5 is a partial fragmentary horizontal sectional View looking downwardly on the cam shaft and showing the cams and part of the operating levers for actuating the drop gate `and the mechanism for controlling travel of the trays along the tray conveyor;

FIGURE 16 is a fragmentary transverse sectional View illustrating the mechanism for operating the drop gate and the retaining wall `of the drop chute;

FIGURE 17 is a side view looking generally along line XVII- XVII of FIGURE 16 and showing certain other details of the drop gate support and the mechanism for opera-ting the drop gate, not shown in FIGURE 16;

FIGURE 18 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view, showing the support for the drop chute and showing the drop chute positioned in cookie receiving relation with respect vto the drop gate;

FIGURE 18A is a fragmentary view of the drop chute looking towards the rear end of the chute;

FIGURE 19' is a sectional view taken transversely of the support frame for transfer conveyor and showing the drive to the transfer conveyor and the linkage and leverage connection for moving the tray stops or positioners out of the path of travel of the trays or cartons;

FIGURE 20 is an enlarged detail fragmentary plan view showing certain details of the actuating mechanism for the tray stops and tray retainers;

FIGURE 21 is an enlarged detail fragmentary sectional view taken transversely of the tray conveyor in order to show certain details -of the operating mechanism for the tray stops;

FIGURE 22 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view looking on top of the tray conveyor at the opposite side of the conveyor from FIGURE 20, and showing certain details of the operating mechanism for the tray retainers;

FIGURE 23 is a fragmentary side elevational view showing certain other details of the mechanism for operating the tray retainers than are shown in FIGURE 22;

FIGURE 24 is a fragmentary detail sectional view taken substantially along line along line XXIV-XXIV of FIGURE 22;

FIGURE 25 is a perspective view of a part of the tray conveyor showing a tray retainer mounted thereon; and

FIGURE 26 4is a fragmentary perspective view looking at the discharge portion of the tray conveyor.

Machine in general In the embodiment of the invention diagrammatically illustrated in FIGURE 1 of the drawings, I have shown a sandwiching machine 10, a conveyor 11, 11 conveying sandwiched cookies to a separating and counting conveyor 12 conveying the cookies from the conveyor 11 in rows and separating the cookies into uniformly counted groups in accordance with the width of the cartons or trays to be loaded.

The cookies are picked from the counting conveyor by an intermittently driven transfer conveyor driven by an intermittent drive 14, providing a dwell in the travel of the transfer conveyor to accommodate the cookies to drop through drop chutes 15, 15 onto cartons or trays 16, 16 traveling along a tray conveyor 18.

The groups of cookies picked up by the transfer conveyor are guided in a manner which will hereinafter more clearly appear as this specification proceeds and ride along support rails 17, 17 of a drop gate. The drop gate and rails 17, 17 are moved to one side during a dwell in the travel of the transfer conveyor out of supporting relation with respect to the cookies to accommodate the cookies to drop through the drop chutes 15 guiding the cookies to fall into the trays in rows, two rows of cookies falling into each of two side by side trays 16, 16 during each dropping operation.

The trays are positioned beneath the drop chutes 15, 15 by movable stops 19, 19, arranged to retain the trays from movement along the tray conveyor 18 during a cookie loading operation and to space the trays of loaded cookies as discharged from the tray conveyor.

It should here be understood that where single row trays rare loaded, the trays may travel along the conveyor 18 in side by side relation, and where multiple row trays are loaded the trays may travel along the conveyor to the drop chutes 15 in end to end relation with respect to each other or in side by side relation, depending upon the width and type of tray being loaded. Where multiple row trays, such as, five row trays are loaded the advance end of the advance tray is stopped under an associated drop chtite by a stop or positioner 19 to accommodate two rows of cookies to drop into said tray. The tray is then advanced a distance of two rows of cookies and two additional rows of cookies are dropped thereinto just behind the first two rows of cookies.

Dur-ing a third dropping operation, one row of cookies drops into the advance tray to fill the tray while a next adjacent row of cookies drops into the advance end -of the rearwardly disposed tray. Filling of the next adjacent rearward tray is then completed in two more dumping operations.

A pair of laterally spaced delay or retainer finger 20, 20 are provided to engage the inside of the trailing or rear end of the next succeeding or third cartons moving along the tray conveyor and to hold these cartons from movement and place a gap between the third cartons and the second cartons and position the third Cartons to be loaded, first with two rows of cookies at the advance end thereof, to be completely loaded in the manner just described. The tray stops, the positioners 19 and the retaining or delay fingers 20 are operated in timed relation with respect to each other and in timed relation with respect to travel of the counting conveyor 12 and the transfer conveyor 13 by drive and control mechanism driven from a single source of power, shown in FIGURE 2 as being a chain and sprocket drive 21 driven from the sandwich conveyor 11. The source of power, however, may be an electric motor separate from the sandwich machine, or may be any other conventional source of power.

Sandwich conveyor and retarder The sandwich conveyor 11, as diagrammatically shown n in FIGURE 3 includes pairs of upright fingers or flights 22, 22 for each row of cookies, spaced along a conveyor chain 23 passing about a sprocket 24 driven from the chain and sprocket drive 21 and extending upwardly from said conveyor chain. The pairs of flights 22, 22 are longitudinally spaced apart distances greater than the diameter of a cookie or sandwich and extend upwardly along opposite sides o-f a plate 25, supporting the sandwiches to engage the edge of a cookie and impel the cookie to be picked up by conveying fingers 26 of the counting conveyor 12, and carried upwardly by said conveyor and separated into uniformly counted groups of cookies during upward travel thereof.

A means is provided to retard travel of the sandwiches as they reach the counting conveyor and are picked up by the fingers 26, 26 thereof, which is shown in FIG- URES 3 and 4, as comprising a pair of retarding fingers 27, 27, one retarding finger being associated with each row of sandwiches and being disposed intermediate associated upright conveying fingers 22, 22 and movable along a slot 46 extending along the center of the plate 25.

As shown in FIGURES 3 and 4 of the drawings, the retarding fingers 27 are mounted on a bracket 29 and project upwardly therefrom. The bracket 29 in turn is mounted on the rear face of a block 30 and extends upwardly therefrom and angularly forwardly over said block. The block 30 has a split forward end portion 31 and is clamped to a roller 33 suitably journalled 0n a transverse shaft 34, mounted on and extending outwardly of a roller 35. The roller 35 is keyed or otherwise secured to a transverse shaft 36 suitably journalled on a frame 37 for the counting conveyor, and driven from a main drive shaft 39 through a chain and sprocket drive 40.

Movement of the retarding fingers 27 is controlled t() 

1. IN AN APPARATUS FOR LOADING COOKIES AND THE LIKE, A COUNTING CONVEYOR, CONVEYING COUNTING AND SEPARATING COOKIES INTO SPACED ALIGNED GROUPS, A TRAY CONVEYOR EXTENDING TRANSVERSELY OF SAID COUNTING CONVEYOR AND CONVEYING EMPTY TRAYS FOR LOADING AND FULL TRAYS FOR FURTHER PROCESSING, A TRANSFER CONVEYOR FORMING A CONTINUATION OF SAID COUNTING CONVEYOR, AT LEAST ONE DROP CHUTE MOUNTED IN COOKIES RECEIVING RELATION WITH RESPECT TO SAID TRANSFER 